Low profile catheter system

ABSTRACT

A low profile catheter system includes a catheter hub with a stabilization surface that is located on an underside of the catheter hub and stabilizes the catheter hub on a patient. A substantially linear flow path extends from an opening at the distal end of the catheter hub to an inlet located within an intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The flow path allows fluid to flow between the distal end and the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion receives a base connector having a fluid path. The fluid path has a first opening and is fluidly connected to the inlet of the flow path in the catheter hub and a biasing member biases the first opening toward the inlet when the base connector is received by the intermediate portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vascular access sites, and moreparticularly to low profile catheter systems that allow a user to easilyconnect and disconnect from a catheter inserted into a patient'svasculature.

BACKGROUND ART

In instances in which a patient will need regular administration offluid or medications (or regular withdrawal of fluids/blood), cathetersare often inserted into the patient and used to administer thefluids/medications. The catheter may remain in the patient for extendedperiods of time (several hours to several days or longer). Additionally,an extension tube may be connected to the catheter to facilitate use ofthe catheter and connection of a medical implement (e.g., a syringe). Toensure that the catheter and/or extension tube remain in place and arenot accidentally removed, some prior art systems secure the catheterand/or extension tube to the patient using tape or similar adhesivematerials (e.g., a film dressing).

Typical peripheral IV Catheters in the market today possess inlet hubsthat utilize ISO 80369-7 Luer connections. These tubular connections arecumbersome for the user to manipulate (often leading to incompleteconnections), and they force undesirable profiles that create snaghazards. Additionally, the associated components are uncomfortablepressure points when resting on the skin of patients during the episodeof care.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a low profilecatheter system may include a catheter hub, a base connector and abiasing member. The catheter hub may have a proximal end, a distal endand a stabilization surface located on an underside of the catheter hub.The stabilization surface may stabilize the catheter hub on a patient.The catheter hub may also have a substantially linear flow pathextending from an opening at the distal end to an inlet located withinan intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The flow path may allowfluid to flow between the distal end and the intermediate portion of thecatheter hub, and the inlet may be located between the proximal end andthe distal end of the catheter hub. The base connector may have a fluidpath extending through at least a portion of the base connector, and theintermediate portion of the catheter hub may receive the base connector.The fluid path may have a first opening and may be fluidly connected tothe inlet of the flow path in the catheter hub when the base connectoris received by the intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The biasingmember may bias the first opening of the fluid path toward the inletwhen the base connector is received by the intermediate portion of thecatheter hub.

In some embodiments, the catheter system may also include a catheterthat is at least partially secured within and extending into the flowpath. At least a portion of the underside may include a flat surface,and the catheter may have a longitudinal axis that is oriented at anangle with respect to the flat surface. Additionally or alternatively,the system may include an introducer that is removably connectable withthe catheter hub when the base connector is not connected. Theintroducer may have a handle and a needle configured to extend throughthe flow path and catheter when the introducer is connected.

In accordance with further embodiments, the catheter hub may have afluid seal interface around the inlet of the flow path, and the biasingmember may axially bias the first opening of the fluid path toward thefluid seal interface. Additionally or alternatively, the base connectormay include a sealing member located at the first opening. The sealingmember may seal against the fluid seal interface when axially biasedtoward the fluid seal interface. The biasing member may be located onthe catheter hub.

The low profile catheter system may also include a first retentionfeature located on the catheter hub and a second retention featurelocated on the base connector. The first and second retention featuresmay interact with one another to secure the base connector to thecatheter hub when the base connector is received by the intermediateportion of the catheter hub. In some embodiments, the catheter hub mayhave a recess located within a top surface of the catheter hub and atleast within the intermediate portion. The recess may be configured toreceive at least a portion of the base connector. The catheter hub mayalso have at least one indent and the base connector may include atleast one projection extending from it. The projection(s) may enter theindent(s) in the catheter hub upon receiving the base connector to alignthe base connector within the catheter hub. The catheter hub may includeleast one slot extending through it to provide access to the patient'sskin.

In accordance with additional embodiments, the base connector mayinclude a valve mechanism (e.g., a two-way pressure activated valve)that controls fluid flow through the fluid path. A bottom surface of thebase connector may include a recess that, in turn, houses at least onesensor. To help stabilize and/or secure the catheter hub to/on thepatient, the system may include an adhesive layer located on thestabilization surface. The catheter hub may have at least one projectionthat extends from a surface of the catheter hub and the base connectormay have at least one recess. The projection(s) may enter the recess(es)when the base connector is received by the catheter hub to secure thebase connector to the catheter hub.

In some embodiments, the system may include a tube connected to a secondopening of the fluid path and/or a dressing secured to the baseconnector. The dressing may be configured to secure the catheter systemto the patient. For example, the dressing may include a patch layersecured to a top surface of the base connector, and the patch layer mayhave a securement portion extending beyond the top surface of the baseconnector that adheres to the patient. The dressing may also have afirst, second and third film layer. The first film layer may be locatedat least partially on the patch layer and may have an opening nearer afirst end of the first film layer. The second film layer may be locatedon the first film layer and may have a channel extending along at leasta portion of its length. The third film layer may be located on thesecond film layer. The first, second and third film layers, the openingin the first film layer, and the channel may form a fluid pathway thatis in fluid communication with the fluid path within the base connector.

In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, amethod for transferring fluid to and/or from a patient includesproviding a low profile catheter system that has a catheter hub, a baseconnector, and a biasing member. The catheter hub may have a proximalend, a distal end and a stabilization surface located on an underside ofthe catheter hub. The catheter hub may also have a substantially linearflow path extending from an opening at the distal end to an inletlocated within an intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The flowpath may allow fluid to flow between the distal end and the intermediateportion of the catheter hub. The inlet may be located between theproximal end and the distal end of the catheter hub. The base connectormay have a fluid path extending through at least a portion of it, andthe intermediate portion of the catheter hub may receive the baseconnector. The fluid path has a first opening and may be fluidlyconnected to the inlet of the flow path in the catheter hub when thebase connector is received by the intermediate portion of the catheterhub. The biasing member may bias the first opening of the fluid pathtoward the inlet when the base connector is received by the intermediateportion of the catheter hub.

The method may also include fluidly connecting the flow path within thecatheter hub with the patient's vasculature and placing the catheter hubon the patient such that the stabilization surface stabilizes thecatheter hub on the patient. The method may then connect the baseconnector to the catheter hub such that the intermediate portion of thecatheter hub receives the base connector. The biasing member may thenbias the first opening of the fluid path toward the inlet to fluidlyconnect to the flow path and the fluid path when the base connector isreceived by the intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The method maythen transfer fluid to and/or from the patient through the flow path andthe fluid path.

In some embodiments, the catheter hub may include a catheter at leastpartially secured within and extending into the flow path, and fluidlyconnecting the fluid path with the patient's vasculature and may includeinserting the catheter into the patient's vasculature. For example,fluidly connecting the fluid path with the patient's vasculature mayinclude connecting an introducer to the catheter hub prior to connectingthe base connector. The introducer may have a needle that extendsthrough the flow path and the catheter when the introducer is connected.The method may then insert the needle into the patient's vasculature,thereby inserting the catheter into the patient's vasculature, anddisconnect the introducer from the catheter hub.

The catheter hub may have a fluid seal interface around the inlet of theflow path, and the biasing member may axially bias the first opening ofthe fluid path toward the fluid seal interface. Additionally oralternatively, the base connector may have a sealing member located atthe first opening. The sealing member may seal against the fluid sealinterface when axially biased toward the fluid seal interface. To securethe base connector to the catheter hub, the catheter hub may have afirst retention feature and the base connector may have a secondretention. The first and second retention feature may interact with oneanother to secure the base connector to the catheter hub when the baseconnector is received by the intermediate portion of the catheter hub.To receive at least a portion of the base connector, the catheter hubmay have a recess located within a top surface within the intermediateportion.

In other embodiments, the catheter hub may also have at least one indentand the base connector may have at least one projection extending fromit. In such embodiments, connecting the base connector to the catheterhub may include inserting the projection(s) into indent(s) in thecatheter hub. The base connector may have a valve mechanism thatcontrols fluid flow through the fluid path. The system may have anadhesive layer located on the stabilization surface to secure thecatheter hub to the patient when the catheter hub is placed on thepatient and/or a dressing secured to the base connector. The method maythen apply the dressing to the patient to secure the catheter system tothe patient. The dressing may include a film based fluid pathway fluidlyconnected to the fluid path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood byreference to the following detailed description, taken with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a low profile cathetersystem, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the low profile catheter system of FIG. 1with a base connector disconnected from a catheter hub, in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the catheter hub, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4-7 schematically show back, top, side and front views of thecatheter hub shown in FIG. 3 , in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the base connector, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 9-11 schematically show a bottom, top and exploded view of analternative base connector with a dressing portion and film based fluidpathway, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the baseconnector with a dressing and a tube, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 13-14 schematically show a cross sectional view and crosssectional close-up view of the catheter system with the base connectorconnected to the catheter hub, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 15-16 schematically show a bottom view and a top view of thecatheter system with the base connector connected to the catheter hub,in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 schematically shows an introducer used to insert the catheterinto the patient's vasculature, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 18 and 19 schematically show various views of the introducerconnected to the catheter hub, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 20 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the introducerconnected to the catheter hub, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In illustrative embodiments, a low profile catheter system includes acatheter hub with a stabilization surface that stabilizes the system onthe patient and a linear flow path extending through a portion of thecatheter hub. The flow path allows fluid to flow between a distal endand an intermediate portion of the catheter hub. The intermediateportion of the catheter hub may receive a base connector having a fluidpath extending through a portion of it. When the connector is receivedby the catheter hub, an opening of the fluid path is fluidly connectedto the inlet of the flow path in the catheter hub and a biasing memberbiases the first opening of the fluid path toward the inlet. Details ofillustrative embodiments are discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show a low profile catheter system 100 thatincludes a catheter hub 200 and a base connector 500 that may beconnected to (e.g., received by) the catheter hub 200 (FIG. 1 ) anddisconnected/removed from the catheter hub 200 (FIG. 2 ). As discussedin greater detail below, the catheter hub 200 may include a catheter 210that may be inserted into the patient's vasculature (e.g., into a veinof the patient). When the base connector 500 is connected to thecatheter hub 200, a user can transfer fluids to and/or from a patient,even in high pressure applications.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7 , the catheter hub 200 has a hub body 220 with aproximal end 230, a distal end 240 and an intermediate portion 250located between the proximal end 230 and the distal end 240. Extendingthrough a portion of the hub body 220 (e.g., between the distal end 240and the intermediate portion 250), the catheter hub 200 may have a flowpath 260 (e.g., a linear flow path) that allows fluid to flow throughthe catheter hub 200. To stabilize the catheter hub 200 (and thecatheter system 100) on the patient, the catheter hub 200 may have astabilization surface 270 located on an underside of the hub body 220.To help secure the device 100 to the patient, the stabilization surface270 may have an adhesive layer (not shown) that adheres the catheter hub200 to the patient.

The intermediate portion 250 of the catheter hub 200 may include arecess 252 that receives the base connector 500 during connection of thebase connector 500 and the catheter hub 200. To help align the baseconnector 500 within the catheter hub 200, the catheter hub 200 (e.g.,the intermediate portion 250) may have one or more indents 254 thatreceive one or more guidance tabs 520 extending from the body 510 of thebase connector 500 (discussed in greater detail below). Additionally, tosecure the base connector 500 within the intermediate portion 250 of thecatheter hub 200, the catheter hub 200 may have one or more snap tabs280 that extend into the recess of the intermediate portion 250 andenter a snap retention feature 530 (e.g., a snap recess) within the baseconnector 200. Alternatively, the base connector 200 may have one ormore snap tabs that enter retention features on the catheter hub duringconnection. It should be noted that although two snap tabs 280 and tworetention features 530 are shown, other embodiments may have more orless snap tabs and retention features and/or the catheter hub 200 andbase connector 500 may each have both snap tabs and retention features.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the catheter 210 may extend eitherpartially or entirely through and may be secured within the flow path260. Additionally or alternatively, to minimize thepressure/force/strain on the insertion site of the patient and preservethe insertion angle of the catheter 210, the flow path 260 and/or thecatheter 210 may be oriented at an angle with respect to the catheterhub 200. For example, the catheter hub 200 may have a flat surface 290located on a top and/or bottom surface and the longitudinal axis of thecatheter 210 and/or the flow path 260 may be oriented at an angle (e.g.,7 degrees) with respect to the flat surface 290.

As discussed in greater detail below, the flow path 260 within thecatheter hub 200 fluidly connects to a fluid path 540 within the baseconnector 500 when the base connecter 500 is connected. To that end, thecatheter hub 200 may include a fluid seal interface 300 located aroundthe inlet 262 of the flow path and against which the fluid path 540within the base connector and/or a sealing element 550 within the baseconnector 500 may seal. The fluid seal interface 300 may be a surface onthe intermediate portion 250 or it may be a flared portion 212 of thecatheter 210 (FIGS. 13 and 14 ). Additionally, to ensure a tight sealbetween the fluid path 540/sealing element 550 and the fluid sealinterface 300, the catheter hub 200 may include a biasing element 310that contacts the base connector 500 when connected and biases the baseconnector 500 toward the distal end 240 and the first opening 542 towardthe fluid seal interface 300. For example, the biasing element 310 maybe a curved stepped feature that creates longitudinal dimensionalinterference with base connector 500 thereby pushing the base connector500 toward the distal end 240 of the hub 200 while intermediate portion250 flexes to receive base connector 500 and/or fluid seal interface 300and/or sealing element 550 compresses. Alternatively, the hub 200 may beat least partially an elastomeric member that stretches open to receivethe base connector 500. In such embodiments, the elastomeric nature ofthe rear wall of the hub 200 (e.g., the wall at the proximal end 230)will bias the base connector 500 toward the distal end 240.

As noted above and as shown in FIG. 8 , the base connector 500 may haveone or more projections or guidance tabs 520 extending from theconnector body 510 that help align the base connector 500 within thecatheter hub 200 during connection. It should be noted that, in additionto performing this guidance/alignment function, the projections 520 mayalso help to prevent contamination of the sealing element 550 (e.g., anO-ring) and/or the opening 542 of the fluid path 540. For example,because these projections 520 extend out further than the sealingelement 550 and extend beyond the opening 542, the projections 520 willprevent contamination if the user accidentally bumps the base connector500 against a surface (e.g., because the projections 520 will preventthe sealing element 550 and/or the opening 542 from contacting thesurface).

To help secure the catheter system 100 to the patient and help protectthe catheter insertion site (e.g., by providing and environmentalbarrier), the base connector 500 may have a dressing 570 (e.g., a patch)secured to the body 510 of the base connector 500 (e.g., via adhesive,ultrasonic welding, RF welding, laser welding or similar securementmethod). As shown in FIGS. 9-11 , the dressing 570 may include a numberof layers. For example, the dressing 570 may include a patch layer 572that includes an adhesive located on an underside of the patch layer572, a dressing frame 574 that provides some structural rigidity to thedressing 570, and a release liner 576 that covers and protects theadhesive on the patch layer 572 prior to use. The patch layer 572 mayhave a securement portion 571 that extends beyond the base connector 500and contacts the skin of the patient to secure the dressing 570 anddevice 100 to the patient. The patch layer 572 may include an opening573 that provides access to the fluid path 540 in the base connector500. During use, the user may remove the release liner 576 to expose theadhesive on the patch layer 572, grasp the dressing 570 by the dressingframe 574 (e.g., tabs on the dressing frame 574) and may position thedressing over the catheter insertion site, causing the adhesive and thesecurement portion 571 to adhere to the skin.

The bottom surface of the base connector 500 may include one or morerecesses 590 that house sensors, electronics, or other technologies thatmay be used to sense, analyze or detect a characteristic of a patient.Alternatively, the electronics/sensors may be printed directly onto thebottom surface of the base connector 500. In such embodiments, theintermediate portion 250 of the catheter hub 200 may have one or morecorresponding openings 233 in the recess 252 to provide access to thepatient's skin. In addition to providing the sensors/electronics accessto the skin, these openings 253 may also help to facilitate skinmoisture transmission.

To facilitate fluid flow through the catheter system 100, the baseconnector 500 may include and/or may be connected to any number ofextension sets, tubes, or fluid transfer devices. For example, the baseconnector 500 (e.g., the second opening 544 of the fluid path 540through the base connector) may include or be connected to a film basedfluid pathway/extension set 600 (FIGS. 9-11 ) or a standard/tube basedextension set 700 (FIG. 12 ) or a female luer connector (not shown). Forthe standard/tube based extension set 700, one end of the tube 710 maybe fluidly connected to/secured to the fluid path at the second opening544 and fluid may be transferred to and/or from the patient via the tube710, the fluid path 540 through the base connector 500, the flow path260 through the catheter hub 200, and the catheter 210.

As the name suggests, the film based fluid path 600 may be formed frommultiple layers of film that define a fluid path extending through atleast a portion of the layers. For example, the film based fluid path600 may have a lower layer 610, a middle layer 620 and a top layer 630.The lower layer 610 has an opening 612 at one end and that is alignedwith the second opening 544 in the fluid path 540 within the baseconnector 500 (e.g., to create fluid communication between the fluidpath 540 and the film based fluid path 600). The middle layer 620 has achannel 622 extending along a portion of its length and the top/upperlayer 630 is located on the middle layer 620 and covers the channel 622.During fluid transfer to the patient, the fluid may pass through thechannel 622 and the opening 612 and into the fluid path 540 within thebase connector 500. Conversely during transfer of fluid from thepatient, fluid may flow from the fluid path 540 in the base connector500, through the opening 612 and into the channel 622.

Although a film based extension set/fluid path way and a standardextension set/tube are shown and discussed above, other embodiments maybe connected to other extension sets. For example, the base connectormay be connected to a sensing extension set, a bifurcated extension set,a medical article extension set, or any other type of extension set.Additionally, although the Figures show the tube 700 and film basedfluid pathway 600 in conjunction with the dressing 570, otherembodiments may have the dressing without the tube 700 and film basedfluid pathway 600 or the tube 700 and film based fluid pathway 600without the dressing 570 (e.g., the film based fluid pathway 600 may bepart of or independent from the dressing 570).

FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically show cross-sectional views of the catheterhub 200 and the base connector 500 (with a film based fluid path 600)when the base connector 500 is connected. As can be seen, when the baseconnector 600 is located within the intermediate portion 250 of thecatheter hub 200, the biasing member/element 310 biases the baseconnector 500 toward the distal end 240 of the catheter hub 200. This,in turn, biases the first opening 542 of the base connector fluid path540 toward the inlet 262 of the catheter hub flow path 260 and seals thesealing element 550 against the fluid seal interface 300 and/or theflanged portion 212 of the catheter 210. In embodiments in which thesealing element 550 seals against the flanged portion 212 of thecatheter 210, the catheter hub 200 (e.g., the body 210) may be isolatedfrom the fluid passing through the device 100 (i.e. the material(s) usedto construct the catheter hub 200 are not in contact with the fluid).

To help prevent retrograde blood flow through the catheter system 100,the system 100 may include a valve mechanism 89 that selectively allowsand prevent fluid flow through the device 100. For example, as shown inFIG. 14 , the base connector 500 may include a two way pressureactivated valve 580 (e.g., a slit diaphragm type structure) locatedwithin the fluid path 540 or adjacent the first opening 542. In thepresence of a large enough pressure (e.g., above the retrograde venouspressure of the patient in a reverse direction and/or above a smallerpressure in a forward direction), the valve 580 will open to allow fluidflow through the device 100. In some embodiments, the valve 580 may beintegral with the sealing element 550. Alternatively, the base connector500 may not have a separate sealing element 550 and the valve 580 mayact as the sealing element (e.g., the valve 580 may seal against thefluid seal interface 300).

In some embodiments, an introducer 800 may be used to insert thecatheter 210 into the patient's vein. As shown in FIGS. 17-20 , theintroducer 800 may have an introducer body 810 (e.g., a handle) and oneor more jaw members 820 that may move relative to the body 810 (e.g.,from a first position to a second position), for example, about a hinge822. Each of the jaw members 820 may be sized and shaped to be receivedby the intermediate portion 250 and the indents 254 of the catheter hub200 and may have a snap retention feature 824 to receive the snap tabs280 located on the catheter hub 200. The introducer 800 also includes aneedle 830 that is sized to extend through the flow path 260 in thecatheter hub 200 and/or the catheter 210.

To that end and to connect the introducer 800 to the catheter hub 200,the manufacturer may insert the tip of the needle 830 into the inlet 262of the flow path 260 and the catheter 210 and then press the jaw members820 into the intermediate portion 250 causing the jaw members 820 toenter the indents 254, the snap tabs 280 to enter the snap retentionfeatures 824, and the needle to extend through the remainder of the flowpath 260 and catheter 210 (FIG. 18-20 ). When the introducer 800 isconnected to the catheter hub 200, the user may now insert the needle830 into the patient's vein and place the stabilization surface 270 onthe patient. If equipped, the user may then use the adhesive on thestabilization surface 270 to secure the catheter hub 200 to the patient.

Once the hub 200 is in place and the catheter 210 is in the vein, theuser may press inward on the jaw members 820 to release them from thesnap tabs 280 and may disconnect the introducer 800 from the catheterhub 200. As the user disconnects the introducer 800, the needle 830 willbe removed from the catheter 210, leaving the catheter 210 in place inthe vein. In some embodiments, the catheter hub 200 may be equipped witha needle protection cover (e.g., a stainless steel stamped element) thatcaptures the needle tip and disengages from the catheter hub 200 forsafe sharps disposal.

After removal of the introducer 800, the base connector 500 may beconnected to the catheter hub 200 as discussed above to fluidly connectthe fluid path 540 within the base connector 500 to the flow path 260and catheter 210 in the catheter hub 200. If the system 100 has adressing 570, the user may remove the release liner 576 and secure thepatch layer 572 (e.g., the securement portion 571 to the patient). Theuser may then transfer fluid to and/or from the patient via the cathetersystem 100.

It should be noted that various embodiments of the present inventionprovide numerous benefits over prior art catheter systems. For example,because the base connector 500 easily connects to the catheter hub 200by essentially snapping it in place, there is no rotation between theconnector and the catheter. This, in turn, eliminates undesirablerotation of any stabilizing structures (e.g., the structures thatstabilize the device on the patient), allows the device to sit flat onthe patient, and is more comfortable for the patient.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to bemerely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparentto those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications areintended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined inany appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low profile catheter system comprising: acatheter hub having a proximal end, a distal end, a stabilizationsurface located on an underside of the catheter hub and a receptaclelocated within a top surface of the catheter hub, the stabilizationsurface configured to stabilize the catheter hub on a patient, thecatheter hub also having a substantially linear flow path extending froman opening at the distal end to an inlet located within an intermediateportion of the catheter hub, the flow path configured to allow fluid toflow between the distal end and the intermediate portion of the catheterhub, the inlet of the flow path located between the proximal end and thedistal end of the catheter hub, the catheter hub also having a fluidseal interface around the inlet of the flow path; and a base connectorhaving a fluid path extending through at least a portion of the basebeing located connector and between a first opening and a secondopening, the receptacle being located within the intermediate portion ofthe catheter hub and being configured to receive the base connector suchthat the base connector, the first opening, the second opening and thefluid path are located within the receptacle, the fluid path beingfluidly connected to the inlet of the flow path in the catheter hub whenthe base connector is received by the receptacle within the intermediateportion of the catheter hub, the first opening of the fluid path isbiased toward the fluid seal interface.
 2. The low profile cathetersystem of claim 1, further comprising: a catheter at least partiallysecured within and extending into the flow path.
 3. The low profilecatheter system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the undersideincludes a flat surface, the catheter having a longitudinal axisoriented at an angle with respect to the flat surface.
 4. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 2, further comprising: an introducerconfigured to removably connect with the catheter hub when the baseconnector is not connected, the introducer having a handle and a needleconfigured to extend through the flow path and catheter when theintroducer is connected.
 5. The low profile catheter system of claim 1,wherein the base connector includes a sealing member located at thefirst opening of the fluid path, the sealing member configured to sealagainst the fluid seal interface when axially biased toward the fluidseal interface.
 6. The low profile catheter system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first retention feature located on the catheter hub; and asecond retention feature located on the base connector, the first andsecond retention features configured to interact with one another tosecure the base connector to the catheter hub when the base connector isreceived by the intermediate portion of the catheter hub.
 7. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub has atleast one indent and the base connector includes at least one projectionextending from the base connector, the at least one projectionconfigured to enter the at least one indent in the catheter hub uponreceiving the base connector to align the base connector within thecatheter hub.
 8. The low profile catheter system of claim 1, wherein thecatheter hub includes at least one opening extending therethrough, theat least one opening configured to provide access to the patient's skin.9. The low profile catheter system of claim 1, wherein the baseconnector further includes a valve mechanism configured to control fluidflow through the fluid path.
 10. The low profile catheter system ofclaim 9, wherein the valve mechanism includes a two-way pressureactivated valve.
 11. The low profile catheter system of claim 1, whereina bottom surface of the base connector includes at least one recess, theat least one recess configured to house at least one sensor.
 12. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layerlocated on the stabilization surface and configured to secure thecatheter hub to the patient.
 13. The low profile catheter system ofclaim 1, further comprising a tube connected to the second opening ofthe fluid path.
 14. The low profile catheter system of claim 1, furthercomprising a dressing secured to the base connector, the dressingconfigured to secure the catheter system to the patient.
 15. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 14, wherein the dressing includes: apatch layer secured to a top surface of the base connector, the patchlayer having a securement portion extending beyond the top surface ofthe base connector and configured to adhere to the patient.
 16. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 15, wherein the dressing furtherincludes a first film layer located at least partially on the patchlayer and having an opening nearer a first end of the first film layer,a second film layer located on the first film layer and having a channelextending along at least a portion of a length of the second film layer,and a third film layer located on the second film layer; the first,second and third film layers, the opening in the first film layer, andthe channel forming a fluid pathway, the fluid pathway in fluidcommunication with the fluid path within the base connector.
 17. The lowprofile catheter system of claim 1, wherein the catheter hub includes atleast one projection extending from a surface of the catheter hub andthe base connector includes at least one recess, the at least oneprojection entering the at least one recess when the base connector isreceived by the catheter hub, thereby securing the base connector to thecatheter hub.